Comment: Code of Practice will cut ironwork costs

18/08/2017 | HIGHWAYS REPORTERS

Paul Thompson, marketing manager for Saint-Gobain PAM, explains why local authorities should use the Road Surface Treatments Association’s (RSTA) new Code of Practice for Ironwork Installation and Refurbishment to reduce their asset management costs.



Properly specified and installed road ironwork should last at least the lifetime of a typical road – 25 years – with minimal maintenance.  Sadly, for many installations this is far from true and the standard of installation varies widely from one authority to another.



”Local

Paul Thompson, marketing manager for Saint-Gobain PAM



Saving cost on the initial installation by specifying a sub-standard and/or wrong product or simply opting for the lowest cost tender will cost you more in the long-term.  When you consider that only 20% of the cost of an installation is the ironwork and the materials used to install it, focusing on this area to reduce costs is a mistake.


The costs of installation could be repeated for a single piece of ironwork several times during the life of a road if it is installed or reinstated poorly, causing potential complaints and unnecessary disruption with roadworks as well.


One council for example found that it was replacing too many of its access covers, including one on a heavily trafficked area that needed replacing every three months.  Since changing its specification and adopting best installation practice 18 months ago, the new access cover has not needed replacing, saving the council an estimated 64% of costs over a five-year period and far more over  the life of the asset.


It is up to industry to inform and educate local authorities about what best practice should be which is why the new RSTA Code of Practice has been developed and it is important that it is embraced and used.


As an independent reference and guide, it enables every organisation involved in highways maintenance to raise its game and reduce the asset management costs of ironwork drastically by adopting a right first time approach.  The guide ensures that the road owner, maintenance provider and all tiers recognise their responsibility and their interdependence.


Collaboration is vital to achieve such standards. For example who will train the installers? Experience suggests that it is generally others in the supply chain, typically the Tier 3 or 4 suppliers.


After setting a benchmark and bringing together the supply chain this should be just the beginning of an evolving process.  There is every opportunity for further innovation and improvement leading to more asset cost reduction as a virtuous cycle is established.  Already there are some great examples of manufacturers coming together to improve how ironwork binds to different bedding mortars, for instance. There are others where contractors plus manufacturers collaborate to deliver offsite manufactured solutions to reduce installation time and improve the quality of the final installation.


A successful ironwork installation is about far more than just the ironwork.  The new RSTA Code of Practice is a vital tool for all those involved.  Like any code of practice, I expect it to evolve over time as new innovation comes to the fore.  In the short-term, it ensures that current best practice is clearly understood and life-cycle costs are reduced drastically – it is time to ensure that all involved in highways maintenance adhere to it.


Paul Thompson was involved with the RSTA Ironwork Reinstatement Sub-Committee that put together the Code of Practice for Ironwork Systems Installation and Refurbishment.


 

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Project Lead - Bridges and Structures WMF3037e

£45,718 to £46,731
We are currently seeking to recruit a Project Lead to join our Bridges and Structures team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Traffic Management Technician - WMF3040e

£27,711 - £28,624
Are you an organised and motivated individual who wants to make a difference to how our roads are managed? Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2114e

£37,035 - £37,938
Are you an experienced and motivated professional looking to take the next step in your traffic management career? Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Senior Transport Planner

£47,532 - £50,574
Royal Greenwich is a borough synonymous with first class modern services Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recruiter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Technician - Highway Inspector

Grade 8 £28,797 - £30,708 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
Within the Highways Maintenance Team we are looking for an enthusiastic, customer focused and experienced person to join the Service Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Project Delivery Senior Team Leader

£74,480 - £85,964
Are you an experienced Chartered Civil Engineer (or equivalent professional qualification) Glasgow City
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2104e

£25,584 - £25,992
Westmorland and Furness Council is seeking an organised and enthusiastic individual to join our South Lakeland team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Bulky Operative

£25,584.00 - £27,269.00, Grade 5, 37 hours, Permanent.
An opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for a Bulky Operative Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Project Delivery Team Leader

£57,710 - £71,842
Are you an experienced Chartered Civil Engineer (or equivalent professional qualification). Glasgow City
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2102e

£37,035 - £37,938
This is a key role supporting the delivery a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Shared Service Manager (Waste) North Herts Council

£52000 - £61000 per annum
Shared Service Manager (Waste) North Herts CouncilNorth Herts CouncilPermanent, Full Time£52,866 - £61,866 per annum, plus car allowance (pay award pe England, Hertfordshire, Letchworth Garden City
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2102e

£37,035 - £37,938
This is a key role supporting the delivery a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2104e

£25,584 - £25,992
This is a key support role, helping to deliver a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes across South Lakeland. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Flood Risk Engineering and Strategy Officer

£49,764 - £55,623
In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce Coventry, West Midlands
Recruiter: Coventry City Council

Senior Integrated Transport Officer

£34,324 - £37,529
Are you an experienced transport planning professional ready to influence strategic policy and drive real change Matlock, Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Roadworker Trainee LGV Driver (3 Posts)

Grade 6 £25,183 - £25,638 per annum (Pay award pending)
We’re looking for Roadworker/trainee LGV drivers to be part of our team undertaking major highway, bridge and related construction and reconstruction Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Engineer

£44,430 - £51,663
This post is within the Highways Design and Delivery Team. London (Greater)
Recruiter: Tower Hamlets London Borough Council

Civil Enforcement Officer - WMF3013e

£27,711 -£28,624
Are you seeking an active and challenging role, part of a friendly and welcoming team? Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

UGO Bus Driver

Up to £25081.00 per annum
UGO Bus DriverPermanent, Part TimeUp to £25,081 per annum (full time equivalent)Location
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Head of Highways Operations

Salary
Somerset Council
Recruiter: Somerset Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW